Do you ever congratulate yourself for your wonderful Christian living? Sigh. I advise that you don’t. Anyway this is what happened to me a couple of weeks ago.
My friend had taken great offence at some trivial moment with a store clerk.
And “Holy” Brenda said to God…thank you God that I never take offense anymore.
Beware folks. That kind of statement sounds suspiciously like this guy.
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. (Luke 18:11, NIV)
And for that prideful statement, God rewarded me with a self-induced, week long tirade against a leader, a country and a people in a place I never go.
Finally I realized my folly. Whether they are all wrong or not, does not depend on me. But for me, I choose God and I choose not to be offended.
And I have learned not to brag about my own perceived holiness!
So don’t go around saying that you are not a murderer or tax cheat or whatever…because without the love and inner strength we have in Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are doomed to be just like the folks we think we aren’t.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25, NIV)
Prayer- Lord God, thank you for showing us who we really are; and then helping us change. Amen.
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